1992: Ray Mercer vs George Foreman

I agree. '97 Foreman was not like Foreman of '90 to '94. But what about Stewart? That was '92, and Foreman had a tough time. Surely Mercer was much better than Stewart.

 

BIG difference. The Foreman who struggled against Savarese was not the same.

 

Different style.

 

In 1992? I'm not so sure. After Morrison, Mercer didn't really seem to be mentally there for a couple of years. Going into the Holyfield fight, there were reports that he was focused and in the best shape he'd been in for years. And he gave Holyfield a tough fight. What amazed me was that he didn't stay active after that and take advantage of his momentum. It was another full year before he fought Lewis, another motivated excellent showing (but he was 14 lbs. heavier), and another seven months before the Witherspoon bout. Then Mercer finally gets the win in a close one against 'Spoon, and then has one fight in three years. He finally starts fighting regularly again in 2001 at age 40!

 

Sure, but Stewart was not known for durability, and never beat anyone of significance. Mercer probably has one of the greatest chins of all heavyweights, and defeated several great heavyweights already.

 

@RulesMakeItInteresting, have you ever seen Holmes vs. Ocasio?

 

A hundred times, easily. That goes for every 70s and 80s Holmes fight.

Also, it must be mentioned that Foreman was cheated of a stoppage against Stewart. Stewart was done in the second round. This is entirely my opinion, but the ref actually helped Stewart last the distance and do pretty well against Foreman. Stewart had no business being in there after the 2nd.

 

I knew you'd seen it, it's pretty obvious. I've seen most of Larry's fights as well. I've always said that from 1978-1985, Holmes was never in an uninteresting fight. All of them quite fascinating.
I can't agree with you on the stoppage. I'm typically in favor of refs waiting longer to stop a fight, and I don't think Stewart needed to be TKO'd.

 

He had a very strange career. One of those guys that were constantly hot/cold. Either he shows up in shape and motivated putting on an amazing performance or he's mediocre and looking very beatable.

It's bizzare that a guy who went life and death with Bert Cooper and Damiani nearly beat a prime Lennox Lewis. He destroys Morrison but gets schooled by an old as dirt Holmes.

If Mercer is on fire he could manage to pull off a win here. He was actually very good at punching up and applying smart pressure when he needed to. The granite chin helps too seeing as he'll be in for a very gruelling war.

 

I just think Foreman-Mercer is a MASSIVE battle of attrition with no quarter, two big hulks just blasting each other. Their faces look like hamburger when the whole thing is over. Razor-thin decision for the winner.

 

Completely agree. It would be like Hulk vs Juggernaut. The type of fight where it hurts just to look at but you can't look away. If I were either guy's manager I would advise against it since both guys are so durable and destructive but lack the speed and defense to avoid each others blows. It would be detrimental to their long term health.

 

Hulk vs The Rhino!

 

Foreman vs. Mercer: Unstoppable Force Meets Unstoppable Force, or Immovable Object Meets Immovable Object

 

This content is protected

 

perfectly sums up the situation